Action of lead on neurotransmission in rats

Beta-adrenergic receptor density and adenylate cyclase activity in lead-exposed rat brain after cessation of lead exposure

To understanding the reversible or irreversible harm to the beta-adrenergic system in the brain of lead-exposed rats, this study sets up an animal model to estimate the change in the sympathetic nervous system of brain after lead exposure was withdrawn. We address the following topics in this study: (a) the relationship between withdrawal time of lead exposure and brain beta-adrenergic receptor, blood lead level, and brain lead level in lead-exposed rats after lead exposure was stopped; and (b) the relationship between lead level and beta-adrenergic receptor and cyclic AMP (c-AMP) in brain. Wistar rats were chronically fed with 2% lead acetate and water for 2 months. Radioligand binding was assayed by a method that fulfilled strict criteria of beta-adrenergic receptor using the ligand [125I]iodocyanopindolol. The levels of lead were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The c-AMP level was determined by radioimmunoassay. The results showed a close relationship between decreasing lead levels and increasing numbers of brain beta-adrenergic receptors and brain adenylate cyclase activity after lead exposure was withdrawn. The effect of lead exposure on the beta-adrenergic system of the brain is a partly reversible condition.

Effects of postnatally administered inorganic lead on the tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive norepinephrinergic neurons of the locus ceruleus of the rat

The neurotoxic effects of inorganic lead are known to include peripheral neuropathy in adults and encephalopathy in children. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of inorganic lead (PbCl2) administration on norepinephrinergic neurons of the locus ceruleus in neonatal rats by immunocytochemical and electron microscopic analyses. Lead chloride solutions, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% in concentrations, were prepared in distilled water and administered orally via drinking water. After 4, 8, or 12 weeks of continuous administration, the rats were sacrificed and brains were immunostained with the tyrosine hydroxylase antibody. The number of immunoreactive cell bodies in the locus ceruleus was estimated. Densitometric analysis of immunoreactive profiles visualized by electron microscopy was performed using an image analyzer. The numbers of immunoreactive neurons in the locus ceruleus were increased statistically by lead administration. The intensity of the immunoreaction, both under the light and electron microscopes was also increased. Degenerative changes, including intra-axonal vacuole formation and widening of the extracellular spaces, were found by electron microscopy in and around the tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive axons. Increased tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity may correlate with the hyper-reactivity of lead intoxicated children. Degenerative changes may account for the reported deficits in intellectual attainment and achievement in lead intoxicated children.

Alterations in beta-adrenergic receptor density and adenylate cyclase activity in the rat brain treated chronically with lead

Behavioral and memory impairment resulting from lead exposure is well known but the mechanism is not. We utilized the brain of lead exposed rats to investigate this problem. In an effort to elucidate the mechanism responsible for this alteration we examined blood and brain lead levels, brain beta-adrenoceptor density and cyclic AMP production in lead exposed rats. Wistar rats used in these trials were divided into six groups of ten animals each. Five groups were given drinking water containing 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2% lead acetate for a period of 60 days. One group (control group, 0% lead acetate) was given pure water. Application of a trend test indicated that both blood and brain lead levels increased significantly from group 0% to group 2% (group 0% <group 0.05% <group 0.1% <group 0. 5%<group 1%<group 2%), but that brain beta-adrenoceptor density and cyclic AMP levels stimulated by isoproterenol decreased (group 2%<group 1%<group 0.5%<group 0.1%<group 0.05%<group 0%). Kd did not vary among the six groups and this indicated that the affinity of the remaining beta-adrenoceptors for [125I]iodocyanopindolol was not changed. Linear regression analysis showed that beta-adrenoceptor density and stimulated cyclic AMP level in brain was found to be negatively correlated with brain lead level (P<0.001). The results show lead exposure that may be the result of an alteration of beta-adrenergic receptor and adenylate cyclase activity in brain.

Change of cardiac beta-adrenoceptors in lead-exposed rats

The effect of lead on cardiac beta-adrenoceptors was studied. Wistar rats used in these trials were divided into seven groups of ten animals each (A-G). Of these, groups B was given drinking water containing 0.01% lead acetate, group C 0.05%, group D 0.1%, group E 0.5%, group F 1% and group G 2% for a period of 60 days. Group A was given pure water. A radioligand-binding assay fulfilling strict criteria of receptor affinity and density was used to quantify cardiac beta-adrenoceptors. Application of a trend test indicated that both blood and heart lead levels increased significantly from group A to group G (A < G), but that beta-adrenoceptor density decreased (G < A), whereas Kd did not vary among the seven groups. Linear regression analysis showed that decrease of cardiac beta-adrenergic receptor density was closely related to elevation of blood and heart lead levels. The results show that lead exposure results in a reduction of cardiac beta-adrenoceptor density.

The β-adrenoceptors and catecholamine levels in lead poisoned rats

To investigate β-adrenoceptor dysfunction upon exposure to lead, we measured (a) β-adrenoceptor density in brain, heart, blood vessels and lymphocytes and (b) plasma catecholamine levels in rats with lead poisoning. Wistar rats were given drinking water containing lead acetate (2% w/v) for a period of 60 days. The radioligand [(125)I]iodocyanopindolol was used for determining the density of β-adrenoceptors in membrane fragments in vitro and a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for measuring plasma catecholamine levels. Plasma norepinephrine levels were found to be significantly higher in lead-exposed rats than in control animals (4.69 ± 0.58 μg/l vs. 3.67 ± 0.53 μg/l, p < 0.01). In lead-exposed animals the density of β-adrenoceptors in brain (36%), heart (68%), blood vessels (57%) and lymphocytes (48%) was significantly less than in controls (p < 0.001), whereas the K(d) did not vary between the two groups. We have found that β-adrenoceptor dysfunction in lead-poisoned rats was brought about by a decline in β-adrenoceptor density.

In vivo exposure to lead does not influence muscarinic receptors in the frontal cortex of the mouse brain

The effects of lead on muscarinic receptors in the brain of adult and juvenile mice were studied in vivo. Lead was administered for periods of 10, 30, and 90 days to adult mice. Perinatal exposure was achieved by treating gestating mice from the day of conception. The exposure was continued after birth and during weaning until 30 days postnatal. Both groups, adult mice and pups or their mothers were given a solution of 10, 100, and 1000 ppm inorganic lead in their drinking water, which was available ad libitum. Radioligand binding studies were performed in vitro to determine receptor densities (Bmax) and affinities (KD values) in brain membranes of the frontal cortex. In addition, the binding of a selective muscarinic agonist and of an antagonist to receptor subtypes was investigated. Inhibition curves of 3H-quinuclidinylbenzilate (3H-QNB) labelled membranes were determined with the m1-antagonist pirenzepine and the m2-agonist carbachol to distinguish between high- and low-affinity agonist and antagonist states in the cortex. Few important changes in density or affinity to the membrane receptors investigated were seen in animals treated with lead. Similarly the properties of high- and low-affinity muscarinic receptor binding were unchanged in the groups exposed to lead. In conclusion, the present results show that lead does not affect the muscarinic receptors in mouse brain under the experimental conditions used.

Changes in the contractile responses to carbachol and in the inhibitory effects of verapamil and nitrendipine on isolated smooth muscle preparations from rats subchronically exposed to Pb2+ and Zn2+

Male Wistar rats were exposed to Pb2+ or Zn2+ and to Pb2+ + Zn2+, receiving Pb(CH3COO)2 or/and ZnSO4 with drinking water for 30 days. Cumulative concentration-effect curves for carbachol were obtained in ileum and trachea isolated from control and heavy metal-treated rats. The effect of the Ca2+ channel blockers on the carbachol-induced contractions was studied by addition of increasing concentrations of verapamil or nitrendipine to the bath solution 20 min. prior to carbachol. The results showed that exposure of rats to heavy metals in doses which did not change the body weight and behaviour, altered the contractile responses to carbachol. The sensitivity to carbachol was higher in preparations from the ileum of Zn(2+)-exposed rats as compared to controls, while a tendency towards decreasing this sensitivity was observed in ileal preparations from Pb(2+)-treated animals. The concentration-effect curves for carbachol in ileal preparations from Pb2+ + Zn(2+)-treated rats did not differ from those in the preparations from untreated rats. The inhibitory effect of the Ca2+ channel blockers on the contractility of ileal and tracheal preparations from treated rats was weaker as compared to that in controls.

Developmental profiles of ornithine decarboxylase activity in the hippocampus, neocortex and cerebellum: modulation following lead exposure

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is a growth-associated enzyme which is critical for cell growth and transformation. ODC activity follows a specific ontogenetic pattern of activity in distinct brain regions according to their developmental stage. Perturbations in the pattern of ODC activity have been associated with brain damage including arrested cerebral growth. Modulations in the pattern of ODC activity were examined in the hippocampus, neocortex and cerebellum of neonatal rats (PND 3, 6, 9, 15) exposed via the dam to 0.2% lead-acetate (Pb2+ prenatally (gestational day 13 to birth), postnatally (PND 1-15) or perinatally (gestational day 13 to PND 15). Prenatal exposure to Pb2+ perturbed the profile of ODC activity in all three brain regions examined, while postnatal exposure to Pb2+ resulted in prolonged stimulations of ODC activity in the cerebellum. Following prenatal exposure, these effects were manifested as a stimulation of ODC activity in the hippocampus, a repression of activity in the neocortex and a combination of these effects in the cerebellum. Perinatal exposure to Pb2+ transiently modulated the pattern of ODC activity similarly in all three brain regions, in a characteristic manner irrespective of their developmental stage. These Pb(2+)-induced modulations of ODC activity suggest that polyamine-dependent processes may play a significant role in the manifestation of Pb(2+)-induced neurotoxicity dependent upon developmental factors at specific exposure periods.